Chapter 11 – Transportation in animals and plants

These NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 11 notes explain how living organisms transport food, water, oxygen, and waste materials within their bodies. The chapter introduces transportation as an essential life process required for survival.

Transportation in Animals and Plants describes the human circulatory system, role of heart and blood, excretion process, and transport of water and food in plants through xylem and phloem.

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1. Introduction: why transportation is necessary

•  Living organisms need food, water, oxygen, and removal of wastes.
•  These materials must reach all parts of the body.
•  The movement of materials inside the body is called transportation.
•  Transportation works like roads and pipelines in a city.

2. Transportation in humans

•  Humans have a circulatory system for transportation.
•  It carries oxygen and digested food to body parts.
•  It transports hormones and removes waste materials.

3. Circulatory system

•  The circulatory system consists of heart, blood, and blood vessels.
•  These parts work together to move materials throughout the body.

4. Heart

•  The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist.
•  It pumps blood to all parts of the body continuously.
•  The heart has four chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle.
•  The heart works like a pump.

5. Blood

•  Plasma is the liquid part that carries food, hormones, and wastes.
•  Red blood cells (RBCs) carry oxygen using haemoglobin.
•  White blood cells (WBCs) fight diseases and protect from germs.
•  Platelets help in blood clotting and prevent bleeding.

6. Blood vessels

•  Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart and have thick walls.
•  Veins carry blood back to the heart and have valves.
•  Capillaries are very thin and allow exchange of materials.

7. Excretion in humans

•  Excretion is the removal of waste materials from the body.
•  The main organs are kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.

8. Role of kidneys

•  Kidneys filter the blood continuously.
•  They remove excess water and wastes.
•  Urine is formed as a result.
•  Kidneys act like water purifiers of the body.

9. Transportation in plants

•  Plants need transportation of water and minerals.
•  They also transport food prepared in leaves.
•  Plants use special transport tissues for this purpose.

10. Xylem

•  Xylem transports water and minerals.
•  Movement is from roots to leaves.
•  Flow occurs in one direction only.
•  It helps water reach tall trees.

11. Phloem

•  Phloem transports food made in leaves.
•  Food reaches all parts of the plant.
•  Movement can occur in both directions.

12. Transpiration

•  Transpiration is the loss of water as water vapour from leaves.
•  It occurs through stomata.
•  Transpiration helps in cooling, creates suction, and maintains mineral flow.

13. Xylem vs phloem

•  Xylem transports water in one direction from roots to leaves.
•  Phloem transports food in two directions from leaves to all parts.

14. Importance of transportation

•  Transportation maintains life processes.
•  It supplies nutrients and oxygen.
•  It removes waste materials from the body.

15. Important keywords with simple definitions

•  Transportation – movement of materials inside organisms.
•  Circulatory system – system that transports blood in humans.
•  Heart – muscular organ that pumps blood.
•  Artery – blood vessel carrying blood from heart.
•  Vein – blood vessel carrying blood to heart.
•  Capillary – thin vessel for material exchange.
•  Xylem – tissue carrying water in plants.
•  Phloem – tissue carrying food in plants.
•  Transpiration – loss of water vapour from leaves.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 11 – Transportation in Animals and Plants is important to learn how materials move inside organisms. The chapter clearly explains transport systems in humans and plants using simple examples.

These concepts are frequently asked in school examinations and are useful for foundation-level science preparation. Students should next read Chapter 12: Reproduction in Plants to understand how new plants are produced.

FAQs

Q1. What is explained in NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 11?
The chapter explains transportation systems in animals and plants.

Q2. What is the function of the heart?
The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body.

Q3. What are xylem and phloem?
Xylem transports water and minerals, while phloem transports food in plants.

Q4. What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from plant leaves.

Q5. Why is NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 11 important for exams?
It explains transport systems in living organisms, which are common exam topics.

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